Discraft has a lot of putter molds in their lineup, but two rise above the rest in sales and popularity: the Roach and the Luna. In this article, we’ll break down what makes these two discs unique, and point out their primary differences. But first, a bit of background on each.
History of the Roach and Luna
The Luna was 6-time World Champion Paul McBeth’s first signature disc with Discraft, and he’s used it as his primary putter for the past three seasons. He named it after his beloved Aunt, so it holds a special place in his heart as well as his bag. McBeth was heavily involved with the design process, so the disc was built with the pro player in mind.
The Roach debuted in 2015 as part of Discraft’s yearly “Ace Race” series and has steadily gained popularity as a slow and straight flyer with maximum glide. It has a reputation as a primary putter for players of all skill levels and is widely available in Discraft’s more affordable baseline plastics.
Dimensions
Roach
- Height: 2.0cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.5cm
- Rim Width: 1.1cm
Luna
- Height: 2.0cm
- Diameter: 21.1cm
- Rim Depth: 1.4cm
- Rim Width: 1.1cm
With virtually identical dimensions, there’s not a whole lot to take away from this comparison. In terms of overall shape, they share the rounded leading edge common to most putters and neither has a bead on the bottom of the rim. Both offer a comfortable hand feel. The only difference comes in the Luna’s shallower rim depth.
Rim depths get shallower as discs get faster. Midranges are usually 1.3cm, and most drivers are measured at 1.1 or 1.2cm. There is a bit more variance in the putter category. Most fall between 1.4 and 1.6cm, with Discraft’s Ringer (1.2cm) and Gateway’s Wizard (1.8cm) representing the furthest ends of the spectrum.
For short putts, this difference won’t matter. It will matter when gripping a disc for tee shots or approaches. Depending on hand size and grip style, the Luna’s shallower rim may offer a more comfortable grip for throwing, particularly on full-power shots. It will also have more potential speed and pop out of the hand.
Flight Numbers
Roach
- Speed: 2
- Glide: 4
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 1
The Roach has the perfect flight characteristics for a “putting” putter, meaning one that is used within 80 feet of the basket. It is slow with plenty of glide and allows for floaty bids at the basket on long jump putts. Compared to the Luna, it should get a little extra forward glide at low speed.
It is a neutral flyer for tee shots and approaches that will work for players of all skill levels. It flies well on straight lines but does not have enough stability to reliably shape pure hyzers or flex lines. Despite a 0 turn rating, the Roach will fly well on a gentle anhyzer line when released at the proper angle.
Luna
- Speed: 3
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
The Luna profiles as an all-around disc that is great off the tee and on the approach. The extra speed and reliable fade make it a slightly overstable option in the putter category. It can handle pro-level torque and speed on full power throws and will glide dead straight upwards of 300 feet for advanced players. For finesse shots, it will shape lines at short distances and low speeds.
On the putting green the Luna is best for those with a firm stroke and clean release. Slow half-bids will hyzer out early and miss short. With a touch more speed than the Roach, the Luna will get a bit more ground play on the green and fly a bit further on airballs. It is best for confident and aggressive players who won’t sweat a 15-foot comebacker for par.
Plastic Options
Both these putters are available in a wide variety of Discraft plastic blends. Across all brands, grippy baseline plastics are generally more popular for the “putting” putter, while the slicker and more durable premium blends are preferable for a “throwing” putter.
Roach
Baseline Blends
- Pro-D
- Bro-D
- Putter Line
- Jawbreaker
Premium Blends
- Big Z
- ESP
- Metallic Z
The Roach is a great beginner disc that is produced in several cheaper baseline plastics. The Pro-D and Putter Line are excellent choices for a first putter. Since it debuted in 2015, the Roach has been produced in many different blends through the years. The above list are blends that are available at most retailers now.
The only “special blend” here is Bro-D. This is popular pro Brodie Smith’s signature plastic blend. It is exactly like Pro-D but with a swirly design. The difference is cosmetic, does not affect performance, and will add a couple of bucks to the price tag.
Because of its wider availability in baseline plastic, the Roach will generally be cheaper than the Luna.
Luna
Baseline Blends
- Special Blend
- Jawbreaker
- Rubber Blend
Premium Blends
- Big Z
- ESP
- Metallic Z
The Luna has its own “special blend” that is a semi-flexible and durable baseline plastic. However, it does not come with a “baseline” price tag. The Luna is quite popular, and as Paul McBeth’s signature disc, it will be more expensive on average.
In the premium blends, the Luna will be a tad more overstable and finish with a more reliable fade. It will also maintain those flight characteristics for much longer, making it an excellent throwing putter.
For a comprehensive breakdown of Luna plastics, Discraft aficionado Cheating Lefty made this excellent video:
Roach vs. Luna: Differences
These two molds differ most in the speed and stability categories, with the Luna being the faster and more stable option. The Roach is best for beginners and intermediate-level players looking for a primary putter and a neutral to understable approach disc.
The Luna is a better choice for experienced players looking for a do-it-all putter. Pairing a baseline version for putting and a premium version for throwing will take care of most shots up to 250 feet. Throw a very overstable approach disc into the mix, such as the Discraft Zone, and you’ll have every shot shape covered from the backhand and forehand side.
